Eventually getting an M-body

[branki]

hahahaah!
Rich you are great!

I have to admit I was impressed. The camera felt just great in my hands. And that noctilux... I was drooling all over the place. 😀

But thats not only it. The most revealing experience came to me while shooting together in the center of Istanbul, packed with curious (by nature) turks.
You were just a few feet away from people (sometimes even less!), pointing all that glass at them, and not a single one seemed to realize the "potential resale value" of that gear.
It was "unobtrusiveness" that cought me.

(And I have to admit I had taped my lousy bessa R for that trip!!! 😛 what a loser!)


/branki

 

[semrich]

That's too funny!!! I hadn't even noticed you had taped your camera. As I mentioned before you came over, I go all around Istanbul at all hours and have never felt unsafe. I go by that saying: "You attract what what you fear", so I just don't put any attention to worrying about it, and keep you gear in a very unobtrusive back like the Levi's olive drab bag I was using that day.

 

[borismach]

Only if you never try M cameras, otherwise Cl could be your back-up or second camera...I have one CL and it serves me well as a second camera, but cannot compare with my M3/M6. However, if cost is an issue, begin with CL first, and when you have the mony get an M afterwards,

🙂 bm

 

[shadowfox]

Just a thought, a minolta CLE may be slightly cheaper than CL and it's a bit more upgraded electronic-wise by Minolta, same lens mount, so no difference IQ-wise.

I had a chance to get one for about $400, but I didn't go for it because I am afraid that one day the electronics will go out on me and I'll be paying much more to repair it. If I can still find spare parts.

 

[JNewell]

Looking at dealer prices on CL bodies, they aren't hugely cheaper than equivalent M2 bodies, and are about the same in one case (a KEH CL that has been modified to work with 1.5v batteries). I see BGN M2 bodies @ KEH for under $500, and the upside there is that you have both return privileges and a warranty (60 days, IIRC).

When I bought my CL, I did the diligence and decided to buy from Sherry Krauter, so I knew it had been CLA'd and adjusted for the 1.5v battery. Well, there was an obscure parts failure and guess what? The part would have been tough to source - so Sherry exchanged the one I had for another equivalent body. What's the take-away? A few. Buy with a warranty. Preferrably buy with a CLA or budget to have one done. And I'd add, buy one that's been adjusted, or have it adjusted as part of the CLA, to take the 1.5v cells. I've used all of the adapters and Wein cells, which are OK, but best is a silver 1.5v cell (don't use alkaline).

 

[cmogi10]

Just curious, why ask if you seem to disregard everyone's answer? Is it a keep asking till you get the answer you want to hear thing?

 

[sinetsin]

Hi All!
I bought few months ago a CL like my first M-mount camera, and really enjoy it..i'll take a M2/M3/M4 or M6 as soon as possible but i think that the CL is a great choice..little, easy to use and a M-mount camera..i know it have some restrictions (like fast lens problems,...) but with a 40, 90 and wide lenses you have a great gear! (my modest thoughts..)


Of course, if you found a M2/M3/M4 for 400$...jump!! (maybe i'll be faster!!)😉

 

[dpetrzelka]

branki- you say "It's ruggedness and sturdyness, its weight, I loved it."

Everyone seems to be missing that you appear to be looking for a more solid/heavy body - not just a budget M-mount. The CL or CLE will not take the place of a traditional M-series body. If its the weight and solid feel of the FSU's that you miss then go for the M2/M3 or M4-P. Add a handheld meter if you like. The M2/M3 are well loved classics, but the M4-P would give you greater options for framelines if you have not yet dialed in your kit.

I'm sure most CL/CLE owners are happy with thier cameras- but it does not seem to fullfill your needs.

 

[splitimageview]

Not everyone 😉

M234 -2 -P 😉

 

[branki]

cmog10,
It was not my intention to disregard any of the comments. And I apologize if it seemed so.

Before opening the thread I was 90% sure the CL was the "natural" step to take. Pricewise at least.

So I was biased, that might be it.
But I had certainly no intention to disregard any comments.

If I had to, I would (probably) disregard Varjag's comment about the CL not being an "M" and therefore being out of the question.

I thought people would suggest the CL right away. The fact that many if not all have suggested the M2 or even the M4-P as a better option did really make me think. Why would I start a thread had I already made up my mind?

It's too easy to recommend an M6.

 

[Rafael]

If you're looking for a very solid camera for a bit less money, why not look at a Canon P?

 

[branki]

And once again,
thanks all for the comments.

I read (and assume) everyone's comments. You certainly have more experience than I do.

 

[branki]

Rafael,
I seem to remember the P being a LTM-body. I want to start using some M-glass (Hexanons, Planars, 'Crons come to mind).

I've read around that the shutter (metallic?) can have problems and is not as quiet.

 

[Rafael]

The P is an LTM body. There are some great lenses for it. But, if you really want an M body, The M2 in the classifieds is still available for $500. You will have a hard time finding a better deal. Good luck in your search.

 

[ferider]

You can get some Hexanons (like the UC 35/2) and Summicrons (v1 50/2) for good prices in LTM.

I used to use CL and CLE. I am not gentle on my cameras. The Ms are
just more robust. The CL does really have a short EBL, makes it
very hard to focus some lenses reliably.

The M4-P is significantly more expensive than the M2. You can check
Dan's price guide and see what budget you have to plan. I were you I would
pick between the two based on lenses. The M2 is better for 35/50, the M4-P
better for 28 (35/50 framelines are about 10% smaller than in the M2).

If you like 35mm, get the M2 in the classifieds and don't look back 🙂

 

[branki]

Thanks for that ferider. I didnt know that about the M4-P.

I'm counting pennies.

 

[cmogi10]

cmog10,
It was not my intention to disregard any of the comments. And I apologize if it seemed so.

Before opening the thread I was 90% sure the CL was the "natural" step to take. Pricewise at least.

So I was biased, that might be it.
But I had certainly no intention to disregard any comments.

If I had to, I would (probably) disregard Varjag's comment about the CL not being an "M" and therefore being out of the question.

I thought people would suggest the CL right away. The fact that many if not all have suggested the M2 or even the M4-P as a better option did really make me think. Why would I start a thread had I already made up my mind?

It's too easy to recommend an M6.

I'm sorry if my post seemed confrontational, not my intent. Do you really need the meter of the CL? If so then are you going to getting an M2 and spend the entire time wishing you had a light meter? I had that problem when I got my M4-P, I would enjoy it a lot more now then I did when I got it because I really wanted/needed the built in meter. I eventually traded it for an M6.
It's too easy to recommen an M6 but maybe it's something to consider, a few extra months of eating raman, raman isn't bad and you can have fun with it.

 

[varjag]

If I had to, I would (probably) disregard Varjag's comment about the CL not being an "M" and therefore being out of the question.

My point was that CL is not an M series camera despite having an M mount - it is a completely different design, and does not have a feel of any M (which you said you pursue).

But well, you certainly seem to know better what I said. Anyway, if you made up your mind for CL just go for it.

 

[JNewell]

Everyone seems to be missing that you appear to be looking for a more solid/heavy body - not just a budget M-mount.

Actually, I think Branki's the only one missing that point! 😀

 

[JNewell]

I thought people would suggest the CL right away. The fact that many if not all have suggested the M2 or even the M4-P as a better option did really make me think.

One thing to notice in that regard is that either all or at least almost all of those trying to wave you off the CL own them, use them, and like them! Perhaps we're not really hearing what you want.

On the M4-P - based on what I've seen for prices, if you want to keep the price down, the odds are higher that you'll find an M2 in your price range, but good opportunities come along, so the thing to do is keep your eyes open.